Waterford Utd - 2 Rockmount - 2: Munster senior League side Rockmount almost caused the shock of the competition at the RSC last night when they went two goals up against Premier Division outfit Waterford United.
However, the Blues clawed their way back and equalised with two late goals. The replay will be at Turner's Cross on Wednesday night
The Cork side had United on the rack for the final minutes during which time they forced three corners and had a goal disallowed four minutes into time added on.
Rockmount opened the scoring three minutes into the second half when Shane Hennessy crossed for Stephen Hurley who swivelled in the crowded goalmouth to steer the ball past goalkeeper Dan Connor.
Less than three minutes later, the Cork side struck for a second goal that sparked off wild scenes of delight among their sizable band of supporters. Hurley was the provider and Pat Keane headed to the net from 12 yards.
Rockmount had the ball in the net again on 62 minutes but referee Pat Whelan disallowed the goal for pushing.
The visitors defended in numbers but persistent Waterford finally unhinged the defence on 72 minutes when David Breen pushed the ball out of defence to Darryl Murphy. The striker ran to the end line before lofting a perfect ball across the face of the goal where Paul O'Brien put into his own net under pressure from PJ Banville.
A frantic United surged forward in strength and grabbed the equaliser nine minutes from time. Dave Mulcahy's low, hard shot from 20 yards was only parried by goalkeeper Derek Slattery and Willie Bruton pounced to crash the rebound home from six yards.
But Rockmount refused to settle for a draw and finished the game the stronger side and Keane headed Kieran O'Shea's late corner to the net only to have the would-be winner disallowed for shoving off the ball.
United lined out with just one change from the side that shocked Shelbourne at the RSC last week with Bruton starting instead of Stephen Grant.
However, Rockmount were badly hit by injuries. Top scorer Michael Deasy, captain Pat Oldham and defender Alan Martin were all sidelined while manager Billy Cronin, was storm-bound in Florida. Assistant manager Kieran O'Sullivan took charge.
There was little between the opponents in the first 15 minutes but United burst into life on 20 minutes when Murphy shot inches wide after Ben Whelehan's close-in header was taken off the line by Kieran O'Mahony.
WATERFORD UNITED: Connor; Coleman (Banville, 57 mins), Carey (Frost, half-time), Mulcahy, Breen, Purcell (Reynolds, 45 mins), Quitongo, Whelehan, Murphy, Bruton, Waters.
ROCKMOUNT: Slattery; Busteed, Howey, O'Mahony, O'Brien, Buckley, Hennessy, Keane, Beechinor (O'Shea, 79 mins), Hurley (Montgomery, 88 mins), O'Callaghan.
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
